Paranormal Detective: Escape from the 80's
- December 12, 2019
- LunaBeat
Get on Steam"Paranormal Detective: Escape from the 80's" is a nostalgic, point-and-click adventure game that transports you to the iconic decade. As a detective, you must solve a series of paranormal cases and escape the clutches of the 80's. The game features a unique blend of horror, comedy, and pop culture references that will keep you engaged until the end.
PC
Virtual Reality
Windows
Oculus VR
Reviews
- The game is a charming and nostalgic experience, filled with 80s references and humor, making it enjoyable for fans of that era.
- Puzzles are varied and creative, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly frustrating, and the game features a fun hint system.
- Overall, the game is well-presented with good graphics and interactive elements, making it a fun escape room experience.
- The game is quite short, typically taking only about 1-2 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more.
- Some puzzles lack context and can be illogical, leading to moments of confusion and frustration.
- The music can be repetitive, and the lack of smooth locomotion may detract from the overall experience for some players.
- story18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as engaging and fun, featuring unexpected plot twists and a nostalgic feel for players familiar with the 80s. While it begins as an escape room experience, it evolves into a more substantial narrative, though some reviewers noted that the puzzles do not always align with the detective theme. Overall, the interactive elements enhance the storytelling, making it feel organic rather than forced.
“There was even an unexpected plot twist at the end, and when we thought it couldn't get any better, the game 'changed', revealing many surprises.”
“It was much more than an escape room, though - it was a story, and for those of us who grew up in the 80s, such a trip down memory lane.”
“Starts as an escape room game, but gets a cool story along the way.”
“The puzzles don't really fit the story of being a detective.”
“This is a light-hearted game, so the 'missing kid' storyline should be taken not so seriously.”
“They aren't just created for you to solve, but instead are a part of the story, so it never feels contrived.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received positive feedback, with many users praising the detailed models and superb visuals that effectively capture an 80's aesthetic. The solid frame rate and immersive VR mechanics enhance the overall experience, making the gameplay enjoyable despite some criticism of repetitive music and graphic style. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, particularly in puzzle-solving contexts.
“I really enjoyed playing this, the graphics are fantastic, it feels like you are really in the 80's.”
“Puzzles are logical and highly creative, the graphics are superb, the frame rate is solid, and the gameplay is really enjoyable.”
“Graphics look nice (some models are really detailed), puzzles work as expected (no bugs that make you doubt if you did something wrong or if it's the game's fault, super important on puzzle games).”
“I'm not a big fan of the repetitive music and graphic style.”
“Played with Vive Pro on a 1080 graphic card with high settings.”
- music12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the exploration and overall soundtrack, while others criticize the repetitiveness and the difficulty of the music puzzle. Additionally, issues with audio clarity, particularly in dialogue and certain tracks, detract from the experience for some users. Overall, the music aspect seems to be a polarizing element of the game.
“Loved all the music in it, and I loved exploring the rooms.”
“Not everyone can repeat music notes.”
“I'm not a big fan of the repetitive music and graphic style.”
“First off, this gets a 'no' vote because of the music puzzle.”
“Even at 100%, I could barely hear the dialogue and one of the cassettes; the other songs were fine though.”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, featuring a wealth of funny and surprising moments, engaging 80's references, and a voice-acted hint system that adds to the comedic experience. Players appreciate the inclusion of hidden extras and arcade games, which enhance the overall enjoyment and contribute to a delightful gaming experience.
“Very nice experience with a lot of funny and surprising moments.”
“Another hilarious puzzle game from the same people who did Escape from the 90s.”
“Also, it's filled with little extras like hidden cassette tapes, a couple of simple arcade games, a humorous hint system, and a great finale.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its innovative use of VR mechanics, engaging puzzles that require thoughtful problem-solving, and a charming retro aesthetic. Players enjoy the blend of shooting elements and detective work within a time travel-themed escape room, complemented by solid graphics and a smooth frame rate. Overall, the experience is described as enjoyable and creatively fulfilling, with a playtime of about one to one and a half hours.
“Makes brilliant use of VR mechanics, has pretty good graphics, and the puzzles require actual thinking to solve.”
“Great little time travel 80's adventure escape room VR game with shooting elements and detective gameplay, along with cheesy acting and loads of retro stuff to discover.”
“Puzzles are logical and highly creative, the graphics are superb, the frame rate is solid, and the gameplay is really enjoyable.”
“A cute little escape room with about an hour to an hour and a half of gameplay.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The inclusion of a usable boombox with swappable cassettes significantly enhances the game's atmosphere, providing an engaging auditory backdrop as players navigate and solve puzzles.
“A usable boombox with swappable cassettes is a great touch to add that extra atmosphere while running around solving puzzles.”
